Dave Hodgson Mayor of Bedford Borough writes about their experience of RITA
17
Apr
2023
Three Bedford Borough Council care homes have received awards from My Learning Network for their use of Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities (RITA).
- Puttenhoe was awarded for Best use of RITA for continuity of care
- Rivermead was awarded for Best use of RITA for 1:1 dementia care
- Brookside was awarded for best use of RITA with people with learning disabilities
Since January 2022, six care homes in Bedford Borough have been trialling (RITA) equipment, designed to enhance the quality of life and wellbeing for residents by exercising their minds and triggering memories. Each home had one large and one small device for staff and residents to use.
RITA devices are designed to provide residents with a range of interactive activities that are tailored to their individual interests and life experiences. Activities include virtual travel, memory games, music therapy, and viewing old photographs and videos, among others.
Staff at the participating care homes have found RITA, which can be used as part of group work or individually, provided residents with a sense of empowerment and independence, and has enabled residents to reminisce, share stories and connect with others in a meaningful way. Relationships and activity groups of residents with shared interest, have been formed, for example, at one care home a group of residents enjoy listening and singing to hymns together and while another group of enjoy watching old sports clips together.
RITA has helped staff with new admissions in gaining life history and information about individuals that is personalised to them, in particular when a resident has impaired communication skills. RITA was successfully used to support and facilitate admissions to Puttenhoe in their reablement unit from hospital. Helping residents who were at risk of falls, by encouraging them to engage with the equipment and alleviate boredom when they had to self-isolate in line with COVID-19 guidance at the time.
A very special nurse & much valued member of the RITA community needs our help!
13
Feb
2023
We have just heard the very sad news that Katie Pritchard, who most of you will recognise from our videos showcasing her use of RITA at Imperial College Healthcare is very poorly with Cancer and she and her beautiful family need our help. As a reminder of the type of person Katie is, the video she kindly agreed to film for us a few years ago is below. What comes through more than anything is just how much she cares for her patients and how much she is an inspiration for the nursing community.
Centre for Ageing & Dementia Research invite Welsh Ambulance Service to Host a Webinar on RITA
02
Feb
2023
Who are CADR? Building on existing internationally recognised and transformative research networks the Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR) is a world class research centre addressing key internationally important questions in ageing and dementia. The Centre integrates multi-disciplinary activity and develops areas of expertise from biological, through psycho-social and environmental, to social policy in ageing and dementia.
Congratulations to Lyndon Croft Care Home in Solihull for achieving Good status from CQC plus RITA reported favourably...again!
01
Nov
2022
Once again RITA has been reported on favourably within a CQC assessment, this time for the wonderful Lyndon Croft Care Home in Solihull.
Join us at this years RITA User Group Conference and Awards!
13
Oct
2022
We are really pleased to invite you to attend our annual RITA User Group Conference and RITA awards. The event will combine the RITA User Group Conference and the 2nd RITA awards. (See more detail below) This event will be hosted remotely via Microsoft Teams
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals FT introduce RITA to the SACT Division and the impact is clear to see!
12
Aug
2022
Thanks to the generosity of Blue Skies Hospital fund, RITA has been rolled out to 5 ward areas in the Surgery, Anaesthetics, Critical Care and Theatres Division.
Don't just take our word for it!
22
Jul
2022
Over the past couple of years we have partnered with 25 Commissioners to roll out RITA to their care homes. Every single project without exception has been a success and we know this because we undertake a comprehensive education and awareness programme supported by an evaluation and feedback exercise.